Nightshades and Neuropathy

WarriorS1~Congrats on being NED !

Hey there fellow Warrior:

Congratulations on being NED!

No advice about acupuncture or special diets.

Was going to tell you that my chemos were Carboplatin/Paclitaxel (Taxol) and that both my feet go numb when I lie down--not only my feet but 4 inches above my ankles.  It's been that way since my first treatments back in 2013.  Warm socks or a heating pad helps me.  It's difficult to get to sleep because of the numbness & tingling. But since you said, "Stay positive--guess I'd better not tell you that because numbness & tingling are "negatives." 

However I am happy and with God's help staying as strong as I can, physically and spiritually, given the circumstances.  But neither of us will complain because we both have our own two feet!   

This quote is attributable to Helen Keller:

“I cried because I had no shoes till I met a man who had no feet!”  

Love Loretta 

Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV

(BLESSED for sure) 

Hey Warrior:

Your suggestion about lying down on the floor has certain stipulations.  I just got a chuckle envisioning me “purposely” lying down on the FLOOR!

That just goes to show how young you are.  That’s evident by your pretty picture.  I just changed my picture that was taken about 3 week ago.  The other one was a year old. 

Ever tried lying down on the floor when you're 79?  

Why do you think they make those necklaces that are advertised on TV?

The lady is down on the floor and she is yelling, “Help I’ve fallen and I CAN’T GET UP!” 

Most of us 79 year-olds know all about “getting down” and not being able to “get up!”  At our age, we have to learn to improvise—always walk close to furniture that is sturdy for two reasons.  One is so you can lean on it when you’re passing by. 

Secondly, when you fall, you can “pull yourself up” if you’re lucky without pulling the table over on you.  And no, I’m not selling those necklaces, nor do I own one.  Better to carry a cell phone in your “apron pocket”, then you can call a friend or family member.  It’s cheaper than one of those necklaces.

And here’s an exercise hint about “pick-ups” and “pull ups”.  When you drop something on the floor—don’t bother to pick it up unless it’s money.  Soon you’ll drop something else, and you can then pick them both up at the same time.  But then again be sure you drop things near a sturdy piece of furniture so you can “pull” yourself up!

Furthermore, one must learn to “swallow their pride” and use a cane.  It comes with the age for most of us.  I own 12 canes in various colors of teal, purple, cobalt blue, black, gold, animal print, flowered, etc.  And sometimes when I’m shopping at the store, and there’s no one close by to get something off the top shelf, those crooked handles comes in handy for “raking” stuff up to the front edge.  Just be sure you have your mouth closed so if you happen to knock it off the shelf, you won’t break your teeth.  And thank God, I still have ALL my teeth, although chemo therapy can sometimes play havoc with them as well in due time.   

And a word about the 5-inch heels that Dolly Parton wears.  My beautiful pointed-toed high heels, no less than 4 inches, sit on my closet shelf for memory’s sake.  God help me if I tried to put on a pair and walk in them.  Once I sat on the bed, put the shoes on and had my husband take my picture just for the fun of it.  Heaven help me if I tried to take a step and to think I used to wear them all day when I worked as a secretary. 

I often tell folks what Johnny Carson once said.  He said, “I like miniskirts but not with support hose and orthopedic shoes!”  I confess to having support hose to combat the swelling of my legs, but I haven’t purchased any orthopedic shoes YET.  I do have sense enough to wear nothing with a heel higher than one-inch.  That way if I trip on a crack in the sidewalk, I won't have so far to fall!  

Oh the ravages of time, and the toll it does take.  But we’re still alive and still able to love and laugh.  May God continue to bless you as He has me.  Enjoy your youth!  And believe it or not, there’s still plenty to still be thankful for even in “old age”.

Just a bit of humor this morning to start our day.

KEEP ON GETTING UP WARRIOR!

Loretta – “Still walking uprightly!” 

At age 79, “Getting Down” has new meaning!

Studies have demonstrated that acupuncture may help to improve nerve conduction and the WHO recognizes acupuncture as a useful therapy for neurological symptoms like peripheral neuropathy.